Summary
- Rare VHS tapes are highly sought after by collectors despite the format’s obsolescence, with prices ranging from $89 to over $125,000.
- Limited original runs, misprints, and low availability contribute to the high value of certain VHS tapes, such as
Tammy & The T-Rex
and
Let It Be
. - The cultural significance and demand for iconic films like
Texas Chainsaw Massacre
,
Star Wars
, and
The Goonies
make their VHS releases extremely valuable, often selling for hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
While not a format seen in the mainstream now, the rarest VHS tapes fetch an impressive price. In the modern age of streaming, there is a community of collectors who keep the VHS video format alive years after the tapes left common circulation in the 200s. Collectors of physical media do so for many reasons, from the joy of permanently owning a film to celebrating technological relics from a bygone era — and the form of media that kicked off the physical media collecting boom was the VHS tape.
While obsolete by today’s standards, there is a large community who enjoy hunting for rare VHS videos, from those that are obscure due to a low circulation to copies that exist with misprints and typos on the sleeve. Many VHS tapes can be bought fairly easily, oftentimes for no more than a dollar. There are others, however, that for one reason or another, are high in price and low in availability. VHS tapes worth money range from beloved classics to obscure titles, and these rare videotapes are among the most sought-after and expensive.
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20 Tammy & The T-Rex
Around $100
Just because a movie is expensive on VHS, doesn’t mean it is a good film, by most people’s standards. The cult classic Tammy & The T-Rex was not very well received by critics or audiences when it was originally released in 1994. However, one of the reasons the movie can sell for close to $100 on VHS, is because of its limited original run. The strange sci-fi comedy follows an experiment in which scientists put the brain of a murdered high schooler into a Tyrannosaurus Rex.
The movie didn’t gain its cult status until many years later, so VHS copies of Tammy & The T-Rex weren’t mass-produced after the theatrical run. By the time the movie showed promise as a cult hit, the studio had already moved on, and the tape was out of print. It’s for this reason alone that copies of Tammy & The T-Rex have become a collectors item most likely, and also arguably contributed to its cult status.
19 Let It Be
Around $100
The Beatles music has been featured in many movies, but they also made some memorable movies themselves. The Fab Four changed the music industry when they exploded onto the scene in the ’60s, and have been hailed as one of the greatest bands of all time. John, Paul, George, and Ringo made several films throughout the height of Beatlemania, with the last being an inside look at their last album, Let It Be, in 1970.
The movie is well-known for including the famous rooftop concert which was the final public appearance featuring all four members.
The movie is well-known for including the famous rooftop concert which was the final public appearance featuring all four members. The film was first released on VHS in 1981, and due to the mixed reception, there weren’t many copies produced. Authentic copies of the original release have gone for no less than $100 in the past, and genuine VHS tapes of Let It Be have become a hot item for Beatles collectors.
18 A History Of Violence
Around $100
VHS tape sales were in decline in the early 2000s, with the last major Hollywood film to be released on VHS being A History Of Violence in 2006. While the movie starring Viggo Mortensen itself is very easy to find on other mediums, the fact that it is the last major VHS release makes collectors view this release as a must-have. VHS copies of A History of Violence have been sold for various prices, but very rarely for under $100.
The VHS of A History of Violence was released the same day as the DVD, as was typical of the final years of the format when both coexisted. DVDs outsold the VHS version of the movie by a large margin. This meant there weren’t many copies remaining in circulation by the time VHS tapes worth money became a collector’s item, making them a must-have for those invested in the hobby.
17 Batman Forever “For Your Consideration” Tape
$150
In the long history of Batman movies, Batman Forever is likely the one fans remember the least. It marked the transition from Tim Burton’s gothic and dark version to Joel Schumacher’s vibrant and campy take while also serving as the first and only appearance of Val Kilmer as the Caped Crusader. The movie saw Batman teaming with his young ward Robin to take on two new villains in Gotham City, Two-Face (Tommy Lee Jones) and The Riddler (Jim Carrey).
Despite the fact that it is considered a lesser movie among the Batman movies, Batman Forever is on record as one of the most valuable tapes in the franchise
Despite the fact that it is considered a lesser movie among the Batman movies, Batman Forever is on record as one of the most valuable tapes in the franchise with a very specific version being sold for $150. According to Comicbook.com, a “For Your Consideration” tape of Batman Forever sold for that amount. These tapes were circulated to Oscar voters which meant they were in limited supply.
16 The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 1982 Release
$300 And Up
While the Texas Chainsaw Massacre franchise has had ups and downs, the original remains a hugely influential movie. The horror genre was evolving in the ’70s and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre was one of the films that forced this evolution. When the movie was released on VHS sometime later, there were several companies that took it upon themselves to release the then-controversial movie. Since circulation was so small, these rare early 1982 Texas Chainsaw Massacre VHS tapes are now a collector’s item.
Several of the 1982 VHS copies of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre have been sold for hundreds of dollars, with one by Wizard Video went for nearly $300, making it among the more expensive editions of the film. Some contemporary listings on sites like eBay have been sold for upwards of $500 and more. While the movie is easy to find in other mediums, many fans agree the graininess of VHS adds to the grindhouse feeling the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre offers.
15 Walt Disney Home Video 1981 Releases
Varies From $50 – $300
When it became clear that home video was the way of the future, the Walt Disney Company was hesitant. The company made good money in re-releasing their popular films in theaters and didn’t want to lose money by having fans own the movies. Their solution was to release a select amount of their most well-regarded films in a rent-only, limited capacity.
These first VHS Disney movies were released in 1981 and were an instant hit.
These first VHS Disney movies were released in 1981 and were an instant hit. After some time, Disney stopped production of their direct-to-rental videos and released a new wave of home videos sometime later. These original 1981 Disney VHS releases run for various prices online and at auctions depending on the specific title, and are sure to make any VHS or Disney collector eager to get their hands on them, with it not being uncommon for the price to be around $300.
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14 The Evil Dead 1981 Release UK Variant Cover
Around $300
It isn’t uncommon for classic horror movies to have been banned in certain countries. When The Evil Dead was released in the U.K. in 1981, it suffered the same fate. The film was released but quickly recalled for being too scary and was debated in court to be banned. The original movie follows a group of friends visiting an cabin in the woods only to be targeted by an evil force.
When the film was deemed to be appropriate and the ban on The Evil Dead, it was re-released with a banner over the cover saying, “Not Guilty.” This variant cover has become the rarest copy of the film to date, and while there are various reports on the price, it isn’t uncommon for the 1981 UK re-release VHS of The Evil Dead to go for around $300.
13 Sealed Copies Of The Fast And The Furious With A Watermark
Around $400
The first entry into the Fast and Furious franchise was released in 2001 and became a surprise hit. While the franchise has exploded in popularity and scale since then, making this first movie seem quaint in comparison, the first movie was still considered a success. The Fast and the Furious was released on VHS and DVD in January 2002 and the DVD sales broke records, highlighting the immense popularity of the movie.
It could remain a popular collector’s item for fans of the mega-franchise for years to come.
However, decades later VHS copies of The Fast and the Furious can fetch prices of $400 and up on auction sites like eBay for a sealed tape with a watermark. Unsealed copies often go for considerably less, but can still sell for sums far beyond the value of the VHS when it was released in 2002 and the format still just about existed. It could remain a popular collector’s item for fans of the mega-franchise for years to come.
12 WCW Bash At The Beach 2000
Around $500
The last Bash At The Beach before WCW was bought by WWE was in 2000, and the WCW swan song’s physical release is now among the many VHS tapes worth money. The event was released on VHS for a short time before the purchase when the tapes were discontinued. With so few copies in circulation VHS copies of Bash At The Beach 2000 are a collector’s item over two decades later.
While many wrestling tapes demand high prices, the final Bash At The Beach is among the rarest. Anything involving Hulk Hogan is valuable for collectors, but his final match with the WCW will be a grail for many. Hulk Hogan went off-script when he left with the belt when he should have lost it, ending his WCW relationship. This match alone adds to the price of the tape, which has gone up as high as $500.
11 Halloween 1978 Release With Uncorrected Typos
Around $500
John Carpenter’s original Halloween is easy to come by on home video, with several cheap VHS releases. Those purists who want true originals, however, have to be willing to dig deep into their pockets. The movie was first released on VHS in 1978 by Media Home Video and with a typo. Like many VHS tapes worth money, this is a collector’s item not just because the movie had a relatively low number of video copies produced, but also because of an error meaning now-valuable and ultra-rare variants of an already uncommon item exist.
The Media logo on the cover of the most valuable 1978 Halloween VHS tapes is misspelled as Meda, and this is a key reason the tape is so sought after.
The Media logo on the cover of the most valuable 1978 Halloween VHS tapes is misspelled as Meda, and this is a key reason the tape is so sought after. Media later re-released the movie with an updated logo, and while some of the corrected versions are worth a fair sum in their own right, none have come close to the true original with the subtle typo in the bottom right of the cover which has been known to fetch prices as high as $500 or more.
10 Tales From The QuaDead Zone
Around $700
One of the rarest VHS tapes worth money is a relatively unknown anthology film called Tales From The QuaDead Zone. The film itself is easy to watch online, but the VHS was released in a small quantity, being manufactured independently. The film has never been released on any other physical medium, and odds are, it never will be.
The film is nothing to write home about, but video copies of Tales From The QuaDead Zone have quickly become the most sought-after tape in VHS collecting circles. The film was extremely underground, but after the tape was featured in the VHS collecting documentary, Adjust Your Tracking, the hunt was one to find the elusive tape. In the rare instances the tape does show up for sale, it isn’t uncommon for it to cost upwards of $700.
9 Sealed Copies Of The Twister 1997 Release
$2,000
The disaster movie Twister was seen as a fun popcorn movie in the 1990s even if critics were not as enthusiastic about it as the audience was. However, its reputation and appreciation have only increased over the years, with many praising the fun action and spectacle of the throwback blockbuster, as well as an enjoyable cast. The movie is a wild ride following the daring lives of storm chasers attempting to figure out a way to better predict devastating hurricanes.
Perhaps with the upcoming sequel Twisters, the VHS will become worth even more.
That lasting affection for the movie can perhaps account for it going for $2,000 on eBay for a sealed copy (via USA Today). Indeed, Twister was a unique VHS as it was the first of the format to be certified for THX sound quality. Perhaps with the upcoming sequel Twisters, the VHS will become worth even more.
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8 Sealed Copies Of The 1982 Star Wars Release
$3,500 And Up
It’s no surprise that one of the most expensive VHS tapes ever sold is a copy of Star Wars that predates the many subsequent re-releases and the alterations that came with them. When Star Wars was released in 1977, it was a cultural phenomenon and was released on video for the first time in 1982. The entertainment market was very different in the early 1980s, and it would be far too expensive for families to buy the film. This reality led to one of the rarest VHS tapes worth money currently in existence.
Because there wasn’t yet a mass market for VHS ownership, Fox first released Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope on video as a rental exclusive. This original release is not cheap by any means, regardless of the condition. But when a rare, mint condition tape still in the shrink wrap surfaced, fans flocked to bid on this piece of film history, with the final bid an astounding $3,500(via ScreenCrush).
7 Original Wrapped Back To The Future Tape
$10,000
Back to the Future is seen as one of the quintessential movies of the 1980s as well as one of the greatest time travel movies ever made. Michael J. Fox became a star with his role as Marty McFly, a typical high schooler in the 80s who finds himself traveling back to the 1950s where he has to be careful not to alter the past in any way while also trying to get back to his timeline.
That kind of reputation also inspires fans to hand over big money for rare VHS tapes
There have been many talks of rebooting the movie over the years, but those talks have been met with a lot of resistance from those who consider it a perfect movie that should remain untouched. That kind of reputation also inspires fans to hand over big money for rare VHS tapes with a particular tape in its original wrapping selling for nearly $10,000 in 2023 (via Daily Mail).
6 Beauty And The Beast Black Diamond Label Release
$10,000 And Up
Another one of the classic Disney animated movies is a hot ticket for VHS collectors. Beauty and the Beast is often regarded as the peak of the Disney Renaissance era and is even regarded as the best Disney animated movie of all time by many people. It was a huge box office hit and became the first animated movie to be nominated for a Best Picture Oscar.
With its acclaim and limited release of a very specific version, the rare clamshell Disney VHS copy of Beauty and the Beast — especially one featuring the classic Black Diamond label — is an immensely valuable VHS collector’s item. As a result, the Beauty and the Beast VHS value reaches into the thousands of dollars, and it’s not uncommon for the Black Diamond labeled copies to sell for as much as $10,000 and upward on auction sites like eBay.
5 Cars Disney Movie Club Release
$14,000
Though not seen as one of the great entries into the collection of Pixar movies, Cars was a hugely popular animated adventure that launched a huge franchise. Set in a world populated entirely by vehicles of different kinds, Owen Wilson provides the voice of Lightning McQueen, a successful and arrogant race car who finds some humility when he becomes stranded in a small town.
To add to the rarity, Cars is the last Disney movie to do a VHS release.
Cars is a more recent movie than many of the other rare VHS tapes, but there was a special release on video cassette that has proven rather valuable for collectors. A copy of Cars that was released as part of the Disney Movie Club sold for $14,000. The Disney Movie Club meant that there were fewer tapes sold. To add to the rarity, Cars is the last Disney movie to do a VHS release.
4 First Print Ghostbusters Tape
$24,000
Ghostbusters is another beloved movie of the 1980s that has continued to maintain a lasting legacy decades later. The movie stars Bill Murray, Dan Akroyd, Harold Ramis, and Ernie Hudson as a group of scientists who begin a new business as paranormal exterminators who capture ghosts that have been terrorizing New York City. However, they find themselves facing a real threat when an evil spirit attempts to take over the world.
With Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire coming out earlier this year, there is still a lot of interest in the Ghostbusters franchise. However, it was a very specific and special VHS release that fetched the massive price of $24,000. The tape sold at an auction in 2022 was the first print that included a rare cover that was the iconic “no ghosts” symbol rather than the cover depicting the main characters.
3 Factory Sealed Rocky Tape
Almost $27,000
With Rocky being one of the most inspirational movies of all time, it is not surprising that there would be a lot of fans eager to own a small part of its legacy. The original Rocky was not only a Best Picture winner, but it helped to launch Sylvester Stallone’s career as an actor while also kicking off a beloved movie franchise. Its legacy has only grown in the subsequent years with generations of fans discovering the movie and being moved by it.
While it is possible Davidson is joking or exaggerating for the bit, this is in line with similar sales.
There have been reports of various auctions selling off boxsets of Rocky movies for tens of thousands of dollars each. However, one of the most impressive deals came from a surprising source. While doing an interview on The Tonight Show, Pete Davidson revealed that he is a collector of sealed VHS tapes and sold his copy of Rocky for $27,000. While it is possible Davidson is joking or exaggerating for the bit, this is in line with similar sales.
Around $40,000
One of the biggest crowd-pleasing movies of all time from one of the greatest American filmmakers is another valuable VHS to get ahold of is E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial is Steven Spielberg’s second “friendly alien movie” following Close Encounters of the Third Kind and introduced the world to the adorable and lovable E.T.
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial became the highest-grossing movie of all time when it was first released, holding the title until Spielberg dethroned himself with Jurassic Park. While E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial is considered a classic, which means that VHS copies of it being collectors items is unsurprising, it’s a very specific edition that fetches eye-wateringly high amounts. The movie’s 20th Foil Holographic Anniversary Limited Edition VHS in a blue clamshell case can go for nearly $40,000 on eBay and at auctions
1 Sealed Copies Of The Goonies 1986 Release
$125,000
Steven Spielberg is also involved in the rare and extremely valuable VHS for The Goonies. Spielberg produced this Richard Donner movie about a group of young friends on a treasure-hunting adventure. The movie holds a lot of nostalgic appeal with it continuing to influence popular modern projects like Stranger Things. While the movie had a wide distribution on video, especially after the 1990 re-release, some versions of The Goonies on video have sold for staggering amounts.
Even opened and used VHS tapes of the movie fetch more in the 2020s than they were worth on the release.
The nostalgia of The Goonies has apparently held up well, as a sealed copy of the beloved VHS earned $125,000 on eBay (via KTLA), making it one of the most valuable and rarest VHS tapes. This represents the extreme end of VHS tapes worth money, and while it doesn’t mean any video copy of The Goonies is a winning lottery ticket, even opened and used VHS tapes of the movie fetch more in the 2020s than they were worth on the release. Perhaps with The Goonies’ star Ke Huy Quan’s comeback, that price could go even higher.